The Alma Ata Declaration (1978) defined Primary Health Care (PHC). Which of the following is NOT one of the eight essential elements of PHC as defined at Alma Ata?

• A Education concerning prevailing health problems and the methods of preventing and controlling them
• B Promotion of food supply and proper nutrition
• C Prevention and control of locally endemic diseases
• D Provision of specialist referral services and tertiary care ✓

Explanation

The eight essential elements of PHC (Alma Ata, 1978) are: (1) health education, (2) food supply and nutrition, (3) safe water and basic sanitation, (4) MCH including family planning, (5) immunization against major infectious diseases, (6) prevention and control of locally endemic diseases, (7) appropriate treatment of common diseases and injuries, and (8) provision of essential drugs. Specialist referral services and tertiary care are NOT among the essential PHC elements—PHC focuses on first-contact, community-based care.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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